G/TBT/N/CAN/593/Add.2  
 
3 July 2023  
(23-4503) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original: English, French  
 
 
NOTIFICATION  
Addendum  
The following communication , dated  3 July 2023, is being circulated at the request of the delegation 
of Canada . 
 
_______________  
 
 
Title:  Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Products Regulations  
 
Reason for Addendum:  
[ ] Comment period changed - date:   
[ ] Notified measure adopted - date:  
[ ] Notified measure published - date:  
[ ] Notified measure enters into force - date:  
[ ] Text of final measure available from1:  
[ ] Notified measure withdrawn or revoked - date:  
Relevant symbol if measure re -notified:   
[X] Content or scope of notified measure changed  and text available from1:  
Proposed amendments to the Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Products 
Regulations published in Canada Gazette I.  
https://canadagazette.gc.ca/rp -pr/p1/2023/2023 -06-17/html/reg1 -eng.html  
https://canadagazette.gc.ca/rp -pr/p1/2023/2023 -06-17/html/reg1 -fra.html  
New deadline for comments (if applicable):  31 August 2023  
[X] Interpretive guidance issued and text available from1:  
1) Third party certifiers: composite wood products containing formaldehyde  
https://www.canada.ca/en/health -canada/services/ chemical -substances/chemicals -management -
plan/initiatives/third -party -certifiers -composite -wood -products -containing -formaldehyde.html  
2) Guidance document on the Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Products Regulations  
https://www.canada.ca/en/health -canada/services/chemical -substances/ch emicals -management -
plan/initiatives/guidance -document -formaldehyde -emissions -composite -wood -products -
regulations.html  
[ ] Other:  
 
Description:  The proposed Regulations notified in G/TBT/N/CAN/593 (dated 3 July 2019) was 
adopted on June 17, 2021 as the Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Products 
 
1 This information can be provided by including a website address, a pdf attachment, or other 
information on where the text of the final /modified  measure and/or interpretive guidance can be obtained.  G/TBT/N/CAN/593/Add.2  
 
- 2 - 
 
  Regulations (the Regulations), notified as G/TBT/N/CAN/593/Add.1 (dated 20 July 2021). These 
Regulations came into force on January 7, 2023.  
The Regulations prohibit the import, sale or offer for sale of composite wood products that emit 
formaldehyde above established limits. Compliance with the Regulations also entails respecting 
testing, third party certification, labelling, record keeping, and reporting requirements.  
To facilitate regulatory harmonization and reduce barriers to international trade, the Regulations 
align with the United States Toxic Substances Control Act, Title VI Rule (U .S. Rule), to the extent 
possible. The administrative differences between the Regulations and the U.S. Rule have been 
minimized and are not expected to limit the ability of manufacturers, importers and sellers to comply 
with the technical requirements of e ither regulation.  
Composite wood products with a label indicating compliance with the U.S. Rule will be recognized as 
compliant with the labelling provisions of the Canadian Regulations (although bilingual labels will be 
required). This will simplify requi rements and reduce costs for industry.  
Guidance documents have been prepared for the regulated community on the role of Third -Party 
Certifiers in the Regulations (July 7, 2021) and on general guidance for the Regulations themselves 
(December 23, 2022). Ame ndments to the Regulations are currently being proposed to clarify the 
quality control testing requirements for panel manufacturers and to simplify record -keeping, 
particularly for the downstream supply chain regulatees (e.g., retailers). In addition, mino r 
amendments are proposed to improve clarity for regulatees, enhance enforceability and align the 
Regulations with recent changes to the U.S. EPA's TSCA Title VI Rule.  
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